Don’t let looks deceive you, an earnest explosive detection dog at Honolulu airport named Kajla has been voted the US Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) “cutest canine” for 2020. The five-year-old Vizsla scored top marks in a nation-wide TSA social media contest on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook in recognition of National Dog Day (Aug. 26).

Other TSA canine candidates included Djanni from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; Ron from Oakland International Airport; and Lexa-Alexey from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The canines were nominated by TSA handlers from airports around the country and voted on by dog-lovers nationwide.

Kajla is a passenger screening canine (PSC) who has worked with her handler Penny at HNL for four years checking travellers and their belongings for explosives at the security checkpoint as an added layer of security.

More than just a pretty face, Kajla is also hardworking – ranked first amongst TSA PSCs for highest daily average time worked, time spent training, and screening.

The pooch is also described as a social canine who “enjoys greeting travellers with hearty tail wags, shiny eyes, and broad smiles.”

Unless, presumably, one has a bomb buried in their briefs.

Another warning: While the TSA points out that PSCs are sociable, they warn airport travellers to respect their space. “They are working dogs and they should not be petted or fed by anyone except their handlers.”